While traditionally used as a toy for young children, the mid-1950s innovation of Lego's interlocking "stud and tube" system has grown increasingly popular as an art medium since the 1990s.
On Easter Sunday 2009, a life-size Lego statue of Jesus was unveiled at a church in Sweden. The six-foot-tall Jesus statue was constructed with approximately 30,000 Lego pieces over a period of about 18 months, using Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen's "Christus" statue as a model.CBS News: Swedish Parishioners Unveil Lego Statue Of Jesus (April 12, 2009)
Nintendo DSi Sculpture
One growing form of Lego art is the "sculpting" of realistic, often life size items made from thousands of Lego bricks. The plans for these sculptures are usually computer generated. One such sculpture went on display in April 2009 at the Nintendo World Store at New York City's Rockefeller Center. The work is a 250 lb., 51,324-piece giant replica of a Nintendo DSi, built by Sean Kennedy.Gizmodo: Giant Lego Nintendo DSi Timelapse Video (Time: 0:48)
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Fast Facts
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Lego means "play well"
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Lego's motto
"Only the best is good enough"
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Lego instructions have no words
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Lego makes an estimated 20 billion bricks each yearLego: Lego Company Profile
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Lego pieces are available in 53 different shades
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One form is Lego video art, also known as "brickwork," "Legomations" and "brick-flicks"
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Another form is Lego sculpture
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There are more than 55,000 Lego videos available on YouTubeGizmodo: LEGO videos
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Sawaya's elaborate Lego sculptures have been featured in touring U.S. exhibitionsThe Big Idea Blog (CNBC): Nathan Sawaya - Overcoming the Myths of Success (May 28, 2008)
